Needle for axminster carpet loom



March 11, 1958 H. F: Amadsowlcz ,2

NEEDLEFOBAXMINSTER'CARPETLOQM Filed May 19'. 1955' m VEN TOR J 060 M02 ATT'V "Ill United States Patent NEEDLE FOR AXMINSTER CARPET LOOM Harry F. Jamrogowicz, Hazardville, Conn., assignor to Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company, Inc., Thompsonville, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application May 19, 1955, Serial No. 509,535

22 Claims. (Cl. 139-423) The present invention relates-to needles which. are used in Axminster loomsfor inserting'weft into the warp shed, and, more particularly, to an Axminster weft-inserting needle which is adapted for selectively inserting wefts which selectively are either a chenille. strand or a conventional: type of weft strand.

It has heretofore beensuggested that chenille be employed as the top-wefts ofAxminster carpet, whereby such wefts, due to their flulfy nature, would serve: to' provide a pile-like surface in certain pattern areas. of the carpet,

of a different type from thechenille wefts, which requires that the weft inserting needle. be of. the type which can be-usedto' selectively insert wefts'from -two or more dilferent sources of supply.

An object of the invention is to provide aweft-inserting needle for an Axminster loom which'is adaptedlto insert strands of chenille as wefts.

Another object of the invention is to. provide a weftinserting needle for an Axminster' loom whichis' adapted to insert chenille wefts and, also, selectively to insert wefts of the conventional weft materials.

Other objects and advantages of the. inventionwill'become apparent from the-following. specification and the' accompanying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a top plan view ofthe head of the needle of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the needle of: Fig; 1;and'

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the needle and associated weftstrands. and loom parts showing the manner in. which the needle operates selectively to insertv as weft either one of two weftstrands of. diiferent'kinds.

The needle of this inventionis adapted to engage and disengage the weft strands, in contrast to the' conventional needle which is provided with a closed eye through which the weft runs as the needle is advanced and retracted. The loommay be of the type disclosed: in: the Benjamin Patent No. 1,964,692, wherein the weftzneedleis provided with a slotted head and. a plurality of weft: strands" aresupplied from suitable separate sourcesunder the control. of weft selecting and positioning mechanism, whereby any. one of the plurality of weft threads may on each weft shot be positioned for engagement by. the head ofthe needle, to be passed through the shed.

Referring to. Fig. 3 of the drawing, .thev weftneedle, comprising a needle head 9 and a needle body- 9a, is guided for reciprocating movement into and out of the shed by a stationary needle guide 10 supported on the loom. frame. This needle reciprocationoccurs; in timed? relation with the raising and collapsing ofthe shed, the

2,826,224 Patented. Mar.v 1.1,. 1958 shed being changed while the needle is retracted, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

The wefts are supplied from a conventional source of supply (not shown lying to the right of Fig. 3. For purposes of illustration two weft strands a and b have been a and b pass through spaced guides Hand 17 respectively-,.

which are carried by the horizontally disposed upper end 15 of a selector arm 14. The selector arm 14 is pivoted at 18 on the loom frame for movement to locate either one or the other of the guides 16, 17 in line. with the needle head 9.

in this movement, the selector arm 14 oscillates from:

the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, in which-the guide 17 and corresponding weft b are selected, to the:

position indicated in dotted. lines at in Fig. 3 in which weft a is selected. Such oscillating movement is carried out in timed relation with the reciprocation of the needle by any suitable mechanism, for example, by the mech-- anism described in the Benjamin Patent No. 1,964,692; in such a way that the guides16, 17 are at rest during each advancing and retracting movementiof. the needle.

Means for positioning the selectedweft comprises a positioning arm 33, whereby the weft b (or a) selected. by theselector arm 14 is positioned". so that: 01111116 inserting movement of the needlethe' selected and positionedweft will. be engagedby the-slot'at the headof the needle and carried into the shed. Upon retraction movement of the needle. the-needle head disengages. from the weft so that the needleisfreeupon its next advancing movementito engage either. the same or a diflerent weft in: accordance with the dictation of the selecting'meclianism.

The weft positioning arm 33 is in the form of a curved lever, as shown, pivoted at 34* on a bracket 35 carried by the loom frame. The arm 33 is oscillated between an upper position and its lower, weft-positioning, position shown inFig. 3-, by a pull rod 36 pivotallyconnected to the arm at 37; The pull rod 36' is=operated by; any suitable mechanism, for example, the mechanism shown and described in the Benjamin patent, in timed relationwith the selecting movements of selector 1'5 (and the movements of the needle) so that when one of the:

weft guides 16, 17 has come to rest in line with the needle the arm 33 moves downwardly to engage its forked end 47' with the selected weft a or b to carry the selected weft downwardly so that its portion extending between the fork 47 and the guide 17 intersects the path of' the needle; When the needle thereafter advances, it will engage the selected and positioned'weft and carry it into the shed. In theposition of the parts illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3 the selector 15 has come to rest with the weft b in selected-position; The positioning arm 33 thereafter has moved downwardly and the needle has begun its advancing movement and has engaged the weft b in.

the slot in its head; The'broken line in Fig. 3 illustrates the position of weft b as the needleapproaches the shed' from its full-line position, the point of. engagement be tween weft and needle being indicated at b.

The weft his a chenille strand which is to be inserted. into the carpet as an upper weft. Such chenille may be of.

rows of stitches of, for example, cotton; The blanket is then cut warpwise midway between adjacent rows of stitching thereby producing the caterpillar-like chenille strands.

Due to the bulk of the chenille, needle types heretofore known which are satisfactory with the conventional filling material cannot be used. Thus a needle head in which the slot extended between two tines of equal length proved impractical as also did needles of the type illustrated in the Benjamin patent. Because of the wide spread between the tines required to accommodate the chenille and because of the limited space between the shedded warps, one or both tines picked up slack warps in its travel through the shed causing warp breakage.

In accordance with the invention 1 have provided a needle head 9 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the slot 48 for the reception of the wefts is larger than has heretofore been employed and the head itself in its direction of greatest breadth is larger than heretofore. The needle head comprises at its forward end a nose portion 50 which as seen in plan in Fig. 1 has a rounded leading end 52 of circular shape. On its side 50, the upper side in Fig. 1, the nose increases in width rearwardly to the point at which it joins the shank 54 of the head 9. The other side 50" of the nose 50, as shown in Fig. 1, extends diagonally rearwardly forming one wall of the slot 48, so that the nose 50 diminishes in width rearwardly from its greatest width.

As seen in elevation, the nose 50 has its least depth at its leading end 52 and increases in thickness rearwardly of said leading end to the point, approximately at the bottom of the slot 48, at which it joins the shank 54 of the head 9.

' The wall of the slot 48 opposite the nose 50 is provided by a tine 56 extending widthwise, as shown, laterally and forwardly from the shank 54 so that its tip 58 is disposed laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of the nose portion 50, that is, farther from the axis of the needle than is the adjacent side of the nose portion 50. The tip 58 is disposed forwardly of the bottom of the slot 48. Preferably the slot 48 is approximately of the same width throughout and extends, as shown, from its entrance diagonally inwardly and rearwardly to a point beyond the axis of the shank 54. The slot 48 extends, depthwise of the head, entirely through the head, as appears in Figs. 1 and 2. The outer surface of the tine 56 is curved so that a portion of the time to the rear of its tip 58 is disposed laterally outwardly of said tip, that is, farther from the axis of the needle than is the tip 58. That is, the tip 58 is disposed forwardly of the greatest width of the head. Preferably the tine 56 is of such a length and shape that its tip 58 lies laterally outwardly of the surface of the shank 54, that is farther from the axis of the needle than is the surface of the shank 54. Preferably the tip 58 of the tine is disposed rearwardly of the point of greatest breadth of the nose portion 50.

It is usual in needle carpet looms to provide at the side of the carpet opposite the needle a selvage shuttle carrying a selvage cord which may be passed through the loop of the inserted weft to hold it and form a selvage in that side of the carpet. To accommodate this selvage shuttle, the shank 54 of the needle is cut away at 60 on its lower side rearwardly of the tine 56 and nose 50. Preferably, as appears in Fig. 2, the greatest depth of the tine and nose, which lies forwardly of the cutout 60, is less than the diameter of the shank 54 to the rear of the cutout 60.

As appears in Fig. 3, the needle is positioned in the loom so that the side of the head containing the slot 48 is disposed toward the narrower portion of the shed, i. e., toward the fell of the carpet. As the needle advances from its fully retracted position it engages the weft with its leading end 52 so that the point of initial contact lies between the forwardmost point of the leading end 52 and the side 50" of the nose 50, i. e., the lower side as seen in Fig. 1. Preferably this initial contact occurs at the point at which the weft b is positioned in Fig. 1. Thus as the needle moves forwardly the weft easily slides along the end 52 and the side 50" of the nose to ride into the slot 48 and reach its final position b. The tine 56, with its tip 58 lying laterally outwardly of the engaged weft, assures that the weft enters the slot.

The needle of this invention in addition to its utility in inserting chenille wefts operates equally well to insert weft strands of conventional construction and of conventional materials, such as wefts of cotton, jute, or kraft paper.

I claim:

1. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and having a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of said nose portion and forwardly of the greatest width of the head, said nose portion and time forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

2. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and having a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width, said nose portion increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending forwardly and widthwise from the head, having its tip disposed rearwardly of the greatest width of said nose portion, forwardly of the greatest width of the head and laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head, being of substantially uniform width and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head to a point between said opposite side and the axis of the head.

3. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width andhaving a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width, at tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed forwardly of the greatest width of the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

4. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and having a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width, said nose portion increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed forwardly of the greatest width of the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the time side of the head and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

5. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and having a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed forwardly of the greatest width of the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

6. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and having a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width, said nose portion increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed forwardly of the greatest width of the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

7. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and having a rounded leading end forwardly of its greatest width,

:aa tine extending widthwise from the head and having itstip disposed laterallyoutwardly of the adjacent side of said nose} portion and forwardly of the greatest'width of the head, said nose' portion and tine forming therebetween a'slo't ope'ningat the tine side of the head and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head;-

8 -In anAxminster'loom, a weft-inserting needle includingahead comprising a nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its-greatest width and having a rounded: leading" end forwardly of its greatest width,

said nose portion increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending forwardly and widthwise from the head, having its tip disposed rearwardly of the greatest width of said nose portion, forwardly of the greatest width of the head and laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine formingtherebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the'head, being of' substantially uniform width and extending diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head to a point between said opposite side and the axis of the head.

9. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and time forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

10. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

11. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head :and having its tip disposed laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

12. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

13. In an Axminster loom, a needle for selectively inserting chenille weft threads and other weft threads into the shed, said needle including a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substan tially wider than it is deep, and has a leading end which is rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip dispns'ed' 'laterally outwardly of th'e adjacent side of said extendingwidthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and'toward the opposite side of the head.

14.- A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially'wider' than it is deep, and has a leading end which is smoothly'rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose' portion and tine: forming therebetween a slot opening at thetine side: of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head to a point between said opposite side and the axis of thelhead.

15; Ahead for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than-it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed rearwardly of the greatest width of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

16. A head for an Axminster loom needle comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head, being of substantially uniform width and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

17. In an Axminster loom a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially Wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

18. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle in cluding a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, and increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a time extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

19. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head to a point between said opposite side and the axis of the head.

20. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearaseaaaa.

wardly from its greatest width, at tine extending widthwise from the head and having its tip disposed rearwardly of the greatest width of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

21. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle including a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in Width rearwardly from its greatest width, a tine extending widthwise from the head, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head, being of substantially uniform width and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

22. In an Axminster loom, a weft-inserting needle ineluding a head comprising a nose portion which forwardly of its greatest width is substantially wider than it is deep, and has a leading end which is smoothly rounded as seen in plan view, said nose portion diminishing in width rearwardly from its greatest width and increasing in depth rearwardly from its leading end, a tine extending width- Wise from the head and having its tip disposed laterally outwardly of the adjacent side of said nose portion, said nose portion and tine forming therebetween a slot opening at the tine side of the head and extending widthwise of the head diagonally rearwardly and toward the opposite side of the head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 659,999 Blanchard Oct. 16, 1900 1,939,864 Shuttleworth Dec. 19, 1933 1,964,692 Benjamin June 26, 1934 2,657,714 Ballber Nov. 3, 1953 

